Dilma says the challenge of Rio+20 is to achieve sustainable development, economic growth and social inclusion

Speaking on the eve of the Rio+20 United Nations Sustainable Development Conference, president Dilma Rousseff called the event that seeks to create a working model where sustainable development, economic growth and social inclusion will all be present.

“It is possible to have a country where you develop economically, grow while including the population, that is, that grows in a social sense with justice, and at the same time respects the environment. This is the great challenge of Rio+20,” declared the president.

Dilma called the question of sustainable development the main priority of the day even as she admitted that many are concerned with the international economic crisis. She said the crisis could divert attention away from efforts at Rio+20 but there was no way to underestimate the importance of sustainable development, economic growth and social inclusion.

Today Dilma Rousseff will be in Rio de Janeiro where she will inaugurate the Brazilian pavilion at Rio+20. The event will last until June 22 (with heads of state and government participating between June 20 and 22).